r'. v* > __>• v \ t > ./* 

liss Nibbs’ 
Novelty Shop 


ALTA BECKER 



PRICE 25 CENTS 


Eldridge Entertainment House 

Franklin, Ohio and Denver, Colo. 

944 So. Logan Street 


.29 

3395 

'opy 1 



















Money-Making Entertainment Novelties 
for Church,, School or Lodge 

Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 

By Alta Becker. This is a novel and humorous en¬ 
tertainment, introducing ’Liza Ann, Miss Nibbs, two 
traveling salesmen, shoppers, mechanical dolls and 
mechancal maid of all work. A good little stunt where 
a short, clean, humcrcus rumber is desired. Plays 
about 30 minutes. Price, 25c. 

The Brightvi He Indoor Chautauqua 

By Bessie Baker and Nellie Hanna. Here is a brand 
new idea for an evening’s entertainment. It is in 5 
parts, each part representing a day at Chautauqua. 
Gives wide scope for introduction of large cast and 
many specialties. Complete programs suggested as 
follows: Part 1, Chautauqua Concert Company; Part 
2, Living Pictures; Part 3, Musical Entertainers; 
Part 4, Farmers’ Night; Part 5, Coonville Jubilee 
Singers. Price, 35c. 

Sorepaw & Fells Indoor Circus 

By Margaret S. Bridge and Margaret H. Hahn. The 
Grand Annex and Musee, Freaks, Curiosities and 
Monstrosities, never were in it with the marvelous, 
amazing, mystifying array outlined in its pages. Ar¬ 
tistic, ambling, agile, ’andsome acrobats; cajoling, 
cadaverous, costly, curious, cunning clowns; Hee- 
Shee, the Monkey Girl of Yucatan; all of these and 
many others will be seen in the Big Peerade before 
the show starts, ladies and gentlemen. Keep to the 
right—don’t crowd. Price, 25c. 

As Ye Sew 

A “talking doll’’ missionary play by Dorothy Crich¬ 
ton. A lot of fun and some wholesome lessons are 
contained in the conversation of the dolls who dis¬ 
cuss the motives of their donors. Splendid for Young 
People’s or Missionary Societies. 10 girls, 1 boy, or 
all girls. Time, 20 minutes. Price, 15c. 

Finding the Key 

A dialog and drill for 10 or 12 girls and hoys. Suit¬ 
able for any religious program, but especially for 
Easter. Time, 20 minutes. Deals with problems of 
youth, recreations, etc.; also with those of Commun¬ 
ity Life and the present spirit of Unrest. Interspersed 
with suggested songs. Drill very effective. 25c. 


Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 
















y MISS NIBBS’ NOVELTY SHOP 


A Play in Two Scenes 


By ALTA BECKER 



Copyright 1921, Eldridge Entertainment House 



DEC 19 1921 • 


PUBLISHED BY 

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, 
Franklin, Ohio, also Denver, Colo. 






Cast of Characters 

+ 


Miss Nibbs—a middle-aged lady of the New England 
spinster type. 

Liza Ann—an awkward young assistant. 


Charles Chadwick 
Stanley Stiggins 


Traveling salesmen. 


Shoppers: Mother and children; Professor and wife. 


Miss Nibbs’ equipment necessitates characters to 
represent the following: The Winged Victory, Bride 
and Groom Dolls, Japanese Doll, Sailor Doll, Clown Doll, 
Jack-in-the-box, Dutch Dolls (boy and girl,), Punch and 
Judy, Dancing Doll, Mechanical Maid-of-all-work. 


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Miss Nibbs' Novelty Shop 


SCENE I. 

(Miss Nibbs is seated at a small desk in the corner 
of her shop, nervously fingering letters and bill. Liza 
Ann is dusting the wares on display on tables and coun¬ 
ters. Hats, fantastically trimmed, are on small stands, 
omd there hould be a generous supply of articles ivell 
known to the audience.) 

Miss Nibbs —Liza Ann! What have we on display 
in the show window this morning? Speak promptly 
please. 

Liza Ann—(runs and parts a curtain at the side of 
the stage and speaks very fast) On the floor, ma'am, are 
two cans of talcum powder in Oriental containers, one 
Good Grooming Hair Brush, five hair nets, assorted col¬ 
ors, ma'am, two packages of Hump Hair Pins, keep the 
hair in place whether skating, dancing or— 

Miss Nibbs —Liza Ann! Reflect! Meditate! Con¬ 
sider! This is Friday, our busiest day usually, and I am 
anxious to have everything in order before our patrons 
begin to arrive. In Mr. Cash’s valuable book, entitled— 
h-m-m-m, entitled— 

Liza Ann —“Hints to the Successful Salesman,” or 
“Profits in the Selling of Merchandise Solved”— 

Miss Nibbs—(continuing calmly) Is a chapter en¬ 
titled—h-m-m-m— 

Liza Ann —“The Art of Window Decoration*” or 
“How to Attract Every Age and Class.” 


3 



4 


Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


Miss Nibbs —Exactly, Liza Ann, and my purpose in 
asking you what we had on display was to see whether 
or not we had heeded Mr. Cash’s excellent advice. What 
have we, for instance, to attract the—h-m—the— (she 
turns over the pages of a book.) 

Liza Ann —The Methodist minister’s wife, ma’am? 

Miss N. —Exactly, Liza Ann. I see my instructions 
have not been in vain. You do understand. 

Liza Ann —Diamond Dyes, Fast and Fadeless. 

Miss N. —And for the women of the college faculty? 
Something intellectual. 

Liza Ann—(impressively) We have it, ma’am, 

Webster’s Unabridged. 

Miss N. —And for the business man? 

Liza Ann — (enthusiastically) Overalls, ma’am, with 
an artistic sign done with my own hands which reads, 
“Buy these to wear at home. It will save your business 
suit.” 

Miss Nibbs —Liza Ann- you are a genius! But what 
will attract the college girls? 

Liza Ann —We need a hat, the one with the red 
grapes is a beauty, Miss Nibbs, but we need a doll-woman 
to wear it. 

Miss N. —A model you mean, Liza Ann, an inani¬ 
mate, which means “without life,” model. 

Liza Ann —Would the Winged Victory do, Miss 
Nibbs? 

Miss N. —Exactly. Bring her here, that beautiful 
creature, in part the creation of Praxiteles, in part my 
own. To think that I, Sophronia Nibbs, would ever at¬ 
tempt and accomplish such a marvelous task. Headless 
so long, with a head at last, and so becoming a one at 
that. The hat with the red grapes will look beautiful on 
her. 

(Liza Ann has moved over toward Miss Nibbs a rep¬ 
resentation of the Winged Victory. A girl draped in 
sheets and with arms outstretched, can take this part. 




5 


Miss Nibbs ' Novelty Shop 


Miss Nibbs and Liza Ann prepare her for th& show win¬ 
dow and she is moved behind the curtain, supposedly cov¬ 
ering the window while Miss Nibbs resumes her work.) 

(Enter, with a confident and jaunty air, Charles 
Chadwick, traveling salesman.) 

Chadwick —Morning, Miss Nibbs. 

Miss N. —Good morning, sir. I do not have the 
pleasure of addressing you familiarly, since I do not 
know your name. 

Chad. —No offense meant, I'm sure* Miss Nibbs. 
Please excuse me. My name is Chadwick, Charles Chad¬ 
wick, and I am an agent for Loud's Fire Escape, a handy 
little article in use in all our leading institutions. I 
thought I was doing you quite a favor here in a college 
town, to suggest that you take the agency, but, of course, 
I can easily go over to Cramer and Caldwell across the 
street. Sorry I displeased you, madam. (Takes his bag 
and is preparing to leave when Miss N. detains him.) 

Miss N. —I see that you are a courteous man, after 
all. Appearances are sometimes deceiving, of course, and 
Liza Ann and I, lone females, as you see, can not be too 
careful. 

Chad. —Indeed not, madam. I should regret to hear 
that any harm had come to two such ladies. (He bows 
as he speaks and Miss N. and Liza Ann look pleased.) 

Miss N. — (inquiringly) Fire escapes, you said? 

Chad.—(taking from his bag a rope, fire escape) 
Loud's Fire Escape, madam; in every public institution 
of our land we are seeking to place these escapes. Our 
plan is to find a responsible merchant, like yourself, ma¬ 
dam. in every college town and allow them the proceeds 
of direct sale to the institution there located. Easy of 
manipulation, always in readiness, cheap, yet reliable, 
Loud's Fire Escape has saved thousands of lives already. 

Miss N. — (impressed) I have no doubt of it, sir. 

Chad. —In every room there is placed a huge, strong 
iron hook, capable of bearing the weight of the human 






6 


Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


body, no matter how great its avoirdupois. On this hook 
hangs this rope escape, ready for instant service. Above 
is tacked this card showing Mr. Loud in the act of es¬ 
caping on his own invention. It also contains the direc¬ 
tions for use. This card may be had in pink, yellow or 
blue, as fancy or color scheme may dictate. May I dem¬ 
onstrate, madam? 

Miss N. —Liza Ann, you may read the directions 
for the gentleman. 

(Liza Ann takes the card and reads slowly, pausing 
at each semicolon. Chadwick tvorks as she reads , dem¬ 
onstrating on Miss Nibbs, ivho becomes more and more 
excited.) 

Liza Ann — (reading) ‘‘Place the red webbing belt 
under the arms; unfasten the knot in the rope; place the 
hands on the rope below the pulley; after looking to see 
whether the space below the window is unobstructed, 
drop—” 

Miss N. — (shrieking and protesting) That is 
enough, young man, since I’m not escaping and have no 
intention of doing so. Liza Ann! Reflect! Meditate! Con¬ 
sider! How many of these escapes should I order? 

Liza Ann —Assorted colors* ma’am, for display pur¬ 
poses, as Mr. Cash says in his valuable book. 

Miss N. r—You are invaluable, Liza Ann! You may 
take my order, Mr. Chadwick, for three escapes, one in 
pink, one in yellow, one in blue, as—h-m-m—I’ve forgot¬ 
ten the rest. 

Chad. —Fancy or color scheme dictates, madam. 

Miss N. —Exactly, sir. Good-day. 

Miss N. —Liza Ann, do look at that crowd of chil¬ 
dren coming. You’d better nail all the furniture down. 

Liza Ann —Too late, ma’am, they’re here already. 

(Enter Mother and children, noisily.) 

Children —We want to buy some dolls. (Exclama¬ 
tions : “7 want a Jap doll.” “I want a Soldier doll ” etc.) 








Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


7 


Mother— Children! Children! Quiet, please. Now, 
Miss Nibbs, could you show us your mechanical dolls? 

Miss N .•—Certainly, madam. I’ll have them brought 
in at once. (Calls off stage.) John, George, bring in the 
dolls. (Two strong boys should carry dolls in by the 
arms if possible and place properly on the stage.) 

Miss N .—Dolls? We have any number of dolls, 
surely enough for the little dears to choose from. Liza 
Ann, will you demonstrate? You and the children will 
please sit down in these chairs. 

(The success of this scene will depend on the con¬ 
trasting quietness and animation of the “dolls.” Liza 
Ann will go from one to the other to wind them up foil 
their individual stunts. They must be quite lifeless un¬ 
til the winding-up process is begun, when they become 
more and more animated. When wound, the Bride and 
Groom Dolls will march while the Wedding March is 
softly played behind the scenes; the Japanese Doll will 
fan and look coquettishly about; the Sailor Doll will 
dance the hornpipe; Punch and Judy will have their us¬ 
ual dialog; the Dutch Dolls will clump in their wooden 
shoes to the edge of the stage, boiv, kiss loudly, and re¬ 
turn; the Dancing Doll ivill take a few dainty steps 
while music is played; Jack-in-the-box will bound up at 
a given signal; the Clown Doll will stand on his head. 
Miss Nibbs introduces each as Liza Ann winds them up.) 

The Children —Mother, we do want the Dutch dolls. 
Can’t we have them? 

Mother—(to Miss N. ) You can deliver them today, - 
you said? Very well, the two Dutch dolls to Hillcrest 
Farm, and thank you for letting us see your wonderful 
collection. 

(Liza Ann attaches a huge red “Sold” tag to the 

Dutch dolls.) 


CURTAIN 




8 


Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


SCENE II. 

(Miss Nibbs , Liza Ann and Stanley Stiggins are in 
Miss N.’s main room, facing the automatic maid-of-all- 
worb ivho is neatly dressed in blue gingham , white ap¬ 
ron and cap , and who is standing very motionless. When 
she moves, it must be in a very stilted, stiff fashion.) 

Stiggins —Yes, we are very proud of our invention, 
and justly so, I think you will admit, Miss Nibbs. She is 
not only useful but ornamental. Contrast her as she 
stands before you now, with the cold, impassive beauty 
of an electric washer, electric cleaner or whatever you 
may mention. 

Miss N. —Sir, no contrast is possible. It seems 
scarcely probable that she is not a living, breathing soul. 

Stiggins —Your enthusiasm is certainly gratifying, 
Miss Nibbs. You appreciate, as few could, the work 
which scientist and artist together have put upon this 
great invention, the automatic maid-of-all work. 

Miss N. —I should like to see ner at work. 

Stiggins —Place a dust cloth in her hand, and press 
the button marked “A” here at her back, and she will 
demonstrate the rotary motion used in dusting. (He 
demonstrates while Miss N. and Liza Ann watch admir¬ 
ingly.) Press the button “B” and she will demonstrate 
the pedulum movement necessary in sweeping. Pull the 
red cord at the back of the neck and you see her knead¬ 
ing bread, thumping pillows or washing clothes. 

Miss N. —Wonderful! Mr. Stiggins, you may have 
my order. Liza Ann! Reflect! Meditate! Consider! 
How many shall we take? 

Liza Ann —One, on trial, ma’am. 

Miss N. —Exactly! Blonde or brunette? 

Liza Ann —This one is a beauty, ma’am. 

Stiggins —Miss Nibbs, let me make this proposal: 
that you keep this maid on trial for a month and then 
the firm will be glad to receive such orders as you may 
wish to give us. 




Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


9 


Miss N. —That will be very satisfactory to us, Mr. 
Stiggins. I see Professor and Mrs. Parsons from the 
college coming just now. They have such a large family 
and servants are so hard to get. This will be a perfect 
godsend to her. I shall demonstrate immediately. 

(Mr. Stiggins goes out as Prof, and Mrs. Parsons 
enter. He is of the studious, dignified type; she is a 
plump, cheerful, little woman.) 

Miss N.—(greeting them enthusiastically) I am so 
glad you came in just now. I do want you to meet our 
new automatic maid. 

Prof.—(surveying the maid) My dear woman, you 
don’t mean to say that she isn’t alive! 

Miss N. —That’s just what I do mean. Professor. 
See these buttons here at the back. They govern her 
every action. Sweeping, dusting, washing, ironing, ev¬ 
erything is provided for. What would you like to see 
her do first? 

Prof. —Anything would do at our house, wouldn’t 
it, Martha? Let’s see her dust. 

Miss Nibbs—(pushes the button carefully) See how 
graceful she is, and how clean the counter is where she 
has been working? Truly, Mrs. Parsons* the domestic 
problem is solved. 

(As she finishes speaking the maid begins to move 
in a more and more violent fashion. The women retreat 
in fear, while the professor advances manfully to the at¬ 
tack.) 

Miss N .'—My dear professor, be careful! The wires 
must be crossed. 0, I must have pushed the wrong but¬ 
ton and she is doing general cleaning. Mr. Stiggins did 
say something— 

(The maid seizes the professor by the shoulders, as 
he is trying to push buttons and pull strings. She drives 
him from, the stage. Liza Ann and the professor's wife 
folloiv. The maid returns and “dusts” Miss Nibbs, who 
has been running frantically about crying: “Help! Mr. 




10 


Miss Nibbs’ Novelty Shop 


Loud! Mr. Stiggins! Crossed wires! Police!” She is 
driven out by the maid , who returns and disappears 
through the side curtains. The sound of the winding up 
of the dolls is heard and soon they enter marching, led 
by the Bride and Groom Dolls. The Wedding March 
may be played, during their march and exit. Following 
the Bride and Groom may come the Clown and Jack, im¬ 
itating their stride, and occasionally jumping from the 
line of march; Punch and Judy follow next, then the 
Sailor and the Dancing Doll, hand in hand and at the end 
the Japanese Doll peering over her fan and the Auto¬ 
matic Maid herself » sioeeping diligently, as she goes.) 


CURTAIN 



Note:—T he interest of this play could be increased in 
college communities, by having an additional scene in 
which college men or women come to purchase certain 
books or articles, which are well known and appreciated, 
from a humorous standpoint, by local circles. 









Some Bright New 

Christmas Material 


First Aid to Santa 


By Ethel Sexton. A mighty bright playlet for 3 boys, 
2 girls and 10 acting dolls (girls and boys). Plays 30 
or 40 minutes. Price, 25c. 


The Christmas Chain 


By Lillian Pearson. A pretty sketch for 14 or more 
children. The Christmas Angel shows her complete 
Christmas Chain to two selfish sisters with happy re¬ 
sults. Plays about 20 minutes. Price 25c. 

How the Christmas Song Was Found 

By Lillian Pearson. A simple, but beautiful sketcfr 
for any number of children, 12 required. Shows the 
real spirit of Christmas and tells how the glad 
Christmas song was found. Time, 20 to 30 minutes. 
For day schools or church entertainments. Price 25c. 

Mr. Richey Changes His Mind 

By Lee Owen Snook. Story of a crabbed, wealthy 
employer and how at Christmas time the memory of 
his mother changed his attitude toward his employes 
from that of a “driver" to a considerate comrade. An 
unexpected romance develops. 4 males, 4 females, 
and others, either high school or adults. Plays about 
20 minutes. Price, 25c. 


The Little Stranger 


A moving picture Christmas play, by Edna Randolph 
Worrell. This is really a pantomime, the different 
scenes being either announced or shown on screen by 
stereopticon. 4 scenes “The Night Before Christ¬ 
mas Home of Orphan Children," “The Little Stran¬ 
ger at the Door," “The Littie Stranger Entertains," 
“Christmas Morning." A pretty entertainment for 
any number of children. Plays about 30 minutes. 25c. 

Ten Good Christmas Pantomimes 

- By Ethel Eldridge. A collection that will add novelty 
and effectiveness to your program. Specific direc¬ 
tions for pantomiming some well-known hymns, songs 
and recitations—“Silent Night,” .“Little Town of 
Bethlehem,” “When Good Old Kris Comes ’Round," 
“Favorite Carols," etc. Contains the music also. 40c. 

Eldridge Entertainment House 


FRANKLIN, OHIO 


also 


DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 








YOU WILL BE GLAD TO KNOW OF 

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Training Mary 

By Mary Shaw Page. A bright 1-act play with sim- 
pie stage setting. William, husband of Mary, essays 
to train Mary, especially along the lines of correcting 
carelessness. As !• always the case, William gets in 
deep water, but finally wades out. 2 males, 4 fe¬ 
males, and plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. 

The Hired Man’s Courtship 

By Alice Cripps. A short comedy-drama in 2 acts. 
Captain Edwards tires of wealth and the city, and 
procures work on Horton's farm, only to find that the 
farmer’s daughter is an old sweetheart. Because of , 
an intrigue on the part of the captain’s cousin, an es¬ 
trangement takes place, which ends happily when the 
captain finds the source of certain stories and re¬ 
futes them. Aunt Hepsey, Jim and Ezra (colored), 
add comedy to the play. Plays about 45 minutes, 
and is for 3 males and 3 females. Price, 25c. 

Merely Anne Marie 

A comedy in 3 acts by Beulah King. 3 males, 5 fe¬ 
males. Time, 2V 2 hours. The scenes are laid in a 
fashionable boarding house, and the characters are all 
distinct types and worth while. A successful play¬ 
wright, desiring to escape notoriety, seeks seclusion 
at Mrs. Teague’s and becomes the hero of Anne Ma¬ 
rie, the dining room maid. The dialogue is bright, 
the situations clever and the story ends happily. 35c. 

A Bit of Scandal 

By Fannie Barnett Lansky. Comedy-drama in 2 acts. 
Francina, who is to play at the recital, composes her 
own number. On the evening of the recital, Mary 
Sherman, who precedes her on the program, plays 
Francina’s compositions, which she has stolen. The 
reasons for the theft all come out later and of course, 
all ends well. Nine characters. Plays about 1 hour. 
Price, 35c. 

Miss Burnett Puts One Over 

By Ethelyn Sexton. A rollicking 1-act girls’ play for 
6 characters. Barbara’s mother has a friend, Ann Bur¬ 
nett, who is to visit the girls at college, with the in¬ 
tention of giving a generous sum to the school. The 
girls, wishing o gain her good will, practice their 
“manners.” Miss Burnett, however, appears in dis- < 
guise and has much fun at their expense. All ends 
well and the school gets the money. Plays about 45 
minutes. Easy setting and costumes. Price, 25c. 

Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 







Clever New Monologs 
and Recitations 

Monologs of Merit 

This we believe a splendid collection for elocution¬ 
ists or for schools. Contains many of the darky 
sketches of Blanche Goodman which do not appear in 
the “Viney Sketches." Some novelty readings by 
Lydia McGaughey are “The White-wash Angel," “A 
Pair of Boots," “Robert Joins the A. H. T. A.,” “Rob¬ 
ert and the Auto," “Seven, Seventeen and Seventy," 
“In Grandma’s Day," and others. Complete volume, 
75c. 

Help-U Dialog and Recitation Book 

By various authors and a real help to the teacher. 
Here are some of the dialogs: “A Strike Mother Goose 
Settled," “Casey’s Twins,’’ “A Lesson in Politeness," 
“Program for Roosevelt’s Birthday," “Boy Wanted," 
“Helping Santa Claus," “Aunt Phoebe’s Nerves," and 
many others. These are for all grades up to gram¬ 
mar. An abundance of choice recitations for all the 
grades. Price 40c. 

Merry Rhymes of Little Folks’ Times 

By Margaret A. Fassitt. In this collection of choice 
little gems we present 40 short poems which are real 
“Kiddie” talk. They can be used as recitations by 
little people or as child impersonations by adults. By 
the way, they will make good reading for mothers 
and fathers at any time. “The Red Head," “Reflec¬ 
tions of a Pup," “I Wish I Had a Ginger Cake," 
“When You Ask About Your Fixin’s,” “Our Twins," 
and many others will make you laugh. Price, 40c. 

Comforting Her Patient 

By Mrs. W. M. Carruth. Tells how an “impractical" 
nurse unloads her own and others’ troubles on her 
helpless patient. A good number. Price 15c. 

Gossip in Slowville 

By E. Haskell. Depicts the sayings of the village gos¬ 
sip and makes a very effective reading. Price 15c. 

The Spinsterhood of Mary 

A humorous number by Rhoda Barciay. Tells of 
Mary’s resolve to live and die an old maid and her 
sudden change of, mind. Price, 15c. 

Mrs. Swattem Attends the Convention 

This monolog by Rhoda Barclay is an account of the 
many complaints of Mrs. Swattem while at the con¬ 
vention. Her sharp tongue wags industriously, if 
not truthfully. Price, 15c. 


Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER* COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 













New Song-Recitations 


|_I ERE is a list of very clever child- 

impersonations or good encores 
* for children. The lines are by 
Margaret Fassitt, the music by Anna 
and Harry C. Eldridge. They will 
be winners on your program. 


,Ys. 


Ain’t It The Limit? 

When Yon Ask About Your Fixins 


Both in 
one 

number 

50c 


If Santa Shouldn’t Come To Me I 
ve Been And Had The Measles I soc 


Both in 
one 

number 


1 Wish I Had A Ginger-cake I 
Our Twins ) 50c 


Both in 
one 

number 


When Grandpop Was A Boy 
When Daddy Took Me Up 

In A ’Plane 


\ 


Both in 
one 
>_ number 

50c 


Eldridge Entertainment House 


FRANKLIN, OHIO 


also 


DENVER, COLO. 
944 S. Logan St. 






































